ptrthgr8 Posted April 28, 2013 Posted April 28, 2013 Hi, folks. I've recently done a trade with another member and he suspects that the cigars I sent him are counterfeits. I absolutely trust the source (well-known to many folks on FOH and El Pres), but I suppose even the best can get snookered at times, too. So, since I'm far from an expert when it comes to spotting fakes, I've taken many photos and will appeal to the collective knowledge of the folks on this forum to help me make the determination. If they're not fakes, then I'll feel better about the whole deal. If they are fakes then I'll need to make it right since the fellow I traded with sent me some nice sticks in return. The shots where I focused on the bands came out a little weird - the wrappers are darker in those pics than they really are. The other shots show a more correct wrapper color. Also, there was one stick on the bottom row where the band was a little lower down the cigar than the rest. None of the bands are what I'd consider to be super-tight; most can be moved with a little pressure, but they're not super loose either. Not sure if the band on that one stick in the bottom row just got jostled during transport or handling - didn't take the stick out of the box to check, but I couldn't move the band back into position while it was just laying there. Today was the first time I checked the bottom row, so wanted to get a photo of it as they were. So, here they are: Punch Churchill, box code SUA EU 00, obtained in January of 2013. Thanks in advance. ~ Greg ~
nikesupremedunk Posted April 28, 2013 Posted April 28, 2013 They look legit to me as well..but I'm sure others can chime in. What makes him think they're fake? I doubt anyone will try to fake punch churchills honestly...
Ryan Posted April 28, 2013 Posted April 28, 2013 There's nothing in those pictures that would give those away as being fake. They look perfectly fine. By the way EU00 is not 2000. It's July '99 One of those odd date codes from 1999.
Colt45 Posted April 28, 2013 Posted April 28, 2013 I don't follow this type of thing too much, but I read the seal as Villa Clara July 1999, which would make the seal "correct", so to speak. P.S. Andy already covered it.
ptrthgr8 Posted April 28, 2013 Author Posted April 28, 2013 There's nothing in those pictures that would give those away as being fake. They look perfectly fine. By the way EU00 is not 2000. It's July '99 One of those odd date codes from 1999. July 1999? Sometimes I don't understand why the Cubans do some of the things they do. Thanks for the bit of info! Cheers, ~ Greg ~
Colt45 Posted April 28, 2013 Posted April 28, 2013 July 1999? Sometimes I don't understand why the Cubans do some of the things they do. Perhaps, but I suppose the onus is on us to learn the language. Though the stamp looks like EU00, I believe it should read as EUOO.
canadianbeaver Posted April 29, 2013 Posted April 29, 2013 I have had a couple of boxes of these, including one box that was just awful :-(. All of them were plugged. So I have some real experience inspecting these, unfortunately for the wrong reason. My box code was TEN CCES. June 1999. That same day I received a box of VR Familiar PEL LLOO. Nov 1999. They were amazing. I think the date codes can be tricky sometimes. I think your cigars are fine from a real point of view, I just hope they smoke beautifully. L
finecigar Posted April 29, 2013 Posted April 29, 2013 They look like the real deal to me. No major signs of being counterfeit. I wouldn't worry about it. These are genuine Cubans from what I see
Skyfall Posted April 29, 2013 Posted April 29, 2013 I've gone through 2 boxes of 2000 Punch Churchill's, these look completely fine to me.
Ophidion Posted April 29, 2013 Posted April 29, 2013 They look just fine. I've only hand a handful of punch churchies from that time period and they look almost identical to yours.
CaptainQuintero Posted April 29, 2013 Posted April 29, 2013 Just like buying, only trade with people you trust...
ptrthgr8 Posted April 29, 2013 Author Posted April 29, 2013 They look legit to me as well..but I'm sure others can chime in. What makes him think they're fake? I doubt anyone will try to fake punch churchills honestly... All of his initial concerns were related to the rings, sort of like Shlomo mentioned. There weren't any concerns (none voiced to me anyhow) about the cigars themselves. Cheers, ~ Greg ~
ptrthgr8 Posted April 29, 2013 Author Posted April 29, 2013 Thanks for all of the great input, folks. The other fellow and I both feel better now having read your input. Your help has been absolutely appreciated, everyone! Cheers, ~ Greg ~
seanbeer Posted July 24, 2013 Posted July 24, 2013 of coz these are real...who would make fake punch and then age them for u...???
cigcars Posted July 24, 2013 Posted July 24, 2013 *By just looking at the construction of the foot of this cigar one can tell this is quality stick
LouisMazzini Posted July 22, 2014 Posted July 22, 2014 look great to me. Not something that's really profitable to fake I would think. I say smoke and enjoy amigo!
RijkdeGooier Posted July 22, 2014 Posted July 22, 2014 Looks exactly like my own box - real (or I also have a box of fakes) Bands can be emoted easily - I think that is due to the age
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